Backpack with inflatable air cushions

ABSTRACT

A backpack with inflatable air cushions integrated onto shoulder straps, back side of the backpack, and hip belt to enhance comfort and support and reduce body fatigues especially on shoulders and back when carrying a load. The backpack includes a main container with front, back, sides, top, and bottom portions, the back portion including an inflatable air cushion; a pair of shoulder straps having two ends with one end connecting to the upper back side of the container, and one end connecting to the low back side or bottom portion of the container, such that the shoulder straps are inflatable to form air cushions; and a removable hip belt with air cushions to transfer weight to the hip.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/581,715, filed Nov. 5, 2017.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of backpacks, and more particularly to methods and systems for cushioning a backpack.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In order to provide for comfort in use backpacks commonly employ various forms of padding and cushioning on the back side and on shoulder straps and other harnesses.

However, such cushioning adds to the weight and also increases the size of the backpack in a folded-up configuration, for example when the backpack is put away for storage.

As such, considering the foregoing, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need for novel and improved devices and methods for cushioning a backpack.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the present invention, wherein in aspects of this invention, enhancements are provided to the existing model of backpack cushioning.

As presented herein, various aspects of the present invention improve the comfort and support of a backpack using inflatable air cushions while minimizing the weight and size of the backpack. The air cushion forms the shoulder straps and the back padding of the backpack. In one aspect, the backpack also contains a removable hip belt that can be integrated with the air cushion. The air cushion can include an inlet and outlet valve for inflation and deflation. In another aspect, an inflating device can be added to inflate and deflate the air cushion quickly.

In an aspect, a backpack can include:

-   a) a container; -   b) a rear cushion disposed on a back side of the container, the rear     cushion comprising first and second rear sheets, which can be     connected in a first plurality of connection portions, to form a     first plurality of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions; and -   c) first and second shoulder straps, which each can be connected to     the container in first and second ends, each of the first and second     shoulder straps comprising first and second strap sheets, which can     be connected in a second plurality of connection portions, to form a     second plurality of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions.

In a related aspect, the first and second plurality of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions can be fluidly connected.

In another related aspect, the first rear and first strap sheets can be part of an entire first sheet and the second rear and second strap sheets can be part of an entire second sheet.

In yet a related aspect, the backpack can further include a hip belt, comprising at least one inflatable hip cushion, which can be connected to a lower part of the container, the at least one inflatable hip cushion including first and second hip sheets, which can be connected in a third plurality of connection portions, to form a third plurality of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions.

In a further related aspect, the at least one inflatable hip cushion can be fluidly connected to at least one of the first and second pluralities of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions.

In yet another related aspect, the backpack can further include at least one inlet valve, which can be connected to at least one of the first and second pluralities of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a backpack, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2A is a rear view of the interconnected inflatable shoulder strap and inflatable back air cushion before inflation, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2B is a side cross-sectional view of the interconnected inflatable shoulder strap and inflatable back air cushion before inflation, taken along section line 2B-2B of FIG. 2A, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3A is a rear view of the integrated inflatable shoulder strap, inflatable hip belt, and inflatable back air cushion before inflation, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of an inflatable hip cushion, taken along section line 3B-3B of FIG. 3A, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4A is a rear perspective view of a backpack, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view, taken along section line 4B-4B of FIG. 4A, showing the rear cushion disposed on the back side of the container, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view, taken along section line 4B-4B of FIG. 4A, showing the rear cushion disposed on the back side of the container, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5A is a rear perspective view of a backpack, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5B is a rear perspective view of a backpack, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5C is a rear perspective view of a backpack, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of a backpack in a packed configuration, according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before describing the invention in detail, it should be observed that the present invention resides primarily in a novel and non-obvious combination of elements and process steps. So as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will readily be apparent to those skilled in the art, certain conventional elements and steps have been presented with lesser detail, while the drawings and specification describe in greater detail other elements and steps pertinent to understanding the invention.

The following embodiments are not intended to define limits as to the structure or method of the invention, but only to provide exemplary constructions. The embodiments are permissive rather than mandatory and illustrative rather than exhaustive.

In the following, we describe the structure of an embodiment of a backpack with inflatable air cushion 100 with reference to FIG. 1, in such manner that like reference numerals refer to like components throughout; a convention that we shall employ for the remainder of this specification.

With reference to FIG. 1, a backpack with inflatable air cushion 100 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention can include:

-   a container 110, including a front portion 112, a back portion 114,     a pair of side portions 116, and top 118 and bottom portions 119; -   a pair of shoulder straps 120 each having two ends with a first end     142 connecting to the top of the container and a second end 144     connecting to the bottom 119 of the container 110; -   wherein the container 110, as shown in FIG. 5A, has an opening 512     into an interior 514 of the container 110 and this opening 512 can     be closed through various closure mechanisms, such as zipper or roll     top closure. In some embodiments, the shoulder strap ends connecting     to the bottom of the container can be adjustable by a buckle or clip     (not shown) of a type known in the art.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2B, which shows a cross-sectional view taken along section line 2B-2B of FIG. 2A, the back side of the container 110 can be inflatable and include a first sheet 232 of material and a second sheet 234 of material where the first sheet 232 of material is connected to the second sheet 234 of material in at least one connection portion 226 236, to define a plurality of inflatable air cushions 228 238.

In a related embodiment, common connection methods, for connecting the first material sheet 232 to the second material sheet 234, include taping, welding, gluing, sewing, using baffles, and other fabric joining techniques known by those of ordinary skill in the art.

The sheets of materials 232 234 can generally be made of gas impermeable laminate material including polyurethane, polyethylene, silicone rubber, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

In a further related embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2B, 4A, and 5A the two material sheets 232 234 on the back side can extend out and form inflatable shoulder straps 120 where the first sheet of material is connected to the second sheet of material to form a plurality of inflatable air cushions 228 on the shoulder strap 120, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

In a related embodiment, the inflatable air cushions 228 on the shoulder strap can be fluidly connected to the inflatable air cushions 238 on the back side of the container. An air valve 420, as shown in FIG. 4A, can be mounted on the shoulder strap, for example positioned on the upper side of shoulder strap 120. A user can inflate and deflate the inflatable air cushions on both the shoulder straps 120 and the back side of the container with a single air inlet valve 420.

In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, an inflating device 430 can be connected to an air valve 432, which can alternatively be the air valve 420, to allow inflation and deflation of the air cushions without using one's mouth. The inflating device can be placed on a small pocket attached to the shoulder strap, preferably near the chest area.

In another related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, second ends 144 of the shoulder straps 120 can be detachably connectable to the container 110, for example with a clasp or snap-lock type detachable connector 446.

In another example embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3A, of a backpack 300, a pair of inflatable air cushions 350 can be connected with a hip belt 340 that is connected to the lower back portion of the container 310 to provide comfort and support when carrying heavier loads. The hip belt 340 can include two sheets of materials connected in at least one connection portion to define a plurality of inflatable air cushions, wherein the sheets are connected with commonly used fabric joining techniques, including taping, welding, gluing, and sewing.

In related embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5C, the two sheets of materials that forms the inflatable hip belt can be an extension of the two sheets of materials 232 234 that forms the air cushions 238 on the back side of the container described in the above embodiment or 2 pairs of 2 sheets of materials separated from the back side of the container and connected to the container using buckles, clips, or other commonly used fastener technique suck as Velcro tape. In the former case, where the inflatable hip belt is fluidly connected to the air cushions on the back side of the container, no additional air valve is required. In the latter case, an air valve can be mounted on each of the hip belts for inflation. Each hip belt 350 can have two ends with one connecting to the container of the backpack and one connecting to a strap. The 2 straps one from each hip belt connect to each other can use a buckle or clip of a type known in the art.

In yet another embodiment, an air cushion having shape of the back of the backpack and two shoulder straps as shown in FIG. 2A can be connected to the backside of the container to form the back cushion and shoulder straps of the backpack. Common connection methods can include taping, welding, gluing, sewing, and other fabric joining techniques known by those who skilled in the art. The air cushion comprises of two sheets of materials joined together at least one position to define a plurality of inflatable air cushions. The sheets of materials are generally gas impermeable laminate material such as, but not limited to, polyurethane, polyethylene, silicone rubber, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

In an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B, a backpack 100 can include:

-   a) a container 110; -   b) a rear cushion 130 disposed/positioned on a back side of the     container 110, such that the rear cushion can be connected to or be     a part of the back side of the container, the rear cushion 130     including first and second rear sheets 232 234, which are connected     in a first plurality of connection portions 236, to form a first     plurality of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions 238; and -   c) first and second shoulder straps 120, each connected to the     container in first and second ends 142 144, each of the first and     second shoulder straps 120 including first and second strap sheets     122 124, which are connected in a second plurality of connection     portions 226, to form a second plurality of fluidly connected air     inflatable cushions 228.

In related embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C, the rear cushion 130 can be disposed/positioned on a back side 114 of the container 110, such that the rear cushion 130 can be either:

-   a) Separate from the container 110 with the backside 114, as shown     in FIG. 4B, such that the container of the backpack has its own     backside fabric layer 114, whereby the rear cushion forms a padding,     optionally including fluidly connected shoulder straps, which is     attached/connected to the container 110; or -   b) An integral part of the container 110, as shown in FIG. 4C, as     such that the backside fabric layer 114 forms/is the first sheet of     material 232.

In a related embodiment, the first and second plurality of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions 238 228 can be fluidly connected, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 5A.

In another related embodiment, the first rear and first strap sheets 232 122 can be part of an entire first sheet 122 and the second rear and second strap 234 124 sheets can be part of an entire second sheet 124.

In another related embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the backpack 100 can further include a hip belt 350 that can be connected to a lower part of the container 110, the hip belt 350 comprising at least one inflatable hip cushion 340, which comprises first and second hip sheets 342 344, which can be connected in a third plurality of connection portions 346, to form a third plurality of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions 348.

In various embodiments, the shapes of the first plurality of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions 238 of the rear cushion 130 can vary, and can for example include:

-   a) diamond-shaped air inflatable cushions 238, as shown in FIG. 2A; -   b) vertical, elongated air inflatable cushions 438, as shown in FIG.     4A; and/or -   c) other shapes, such as rectangular, round, ellipsoid, polygonal,     irregular, random; and can include different     combinations/distributions of sizes and shapes. -   In various related embodiments, shapes of the second and third     pluralities of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions 228 348 can     vary similarly.

In another related embodiment, the backpack 100 can further include at least one inflatable hip cushion 340, which can be fluidly connected to at least one of the first and second pluralities of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions 348, for example via a fluid connection 570, such as a tube 570, as shown in FIG. 5A.

In yet another related embodiment, the backpack 100 can further include at least one inlet valve 420, which can be connected to at least one of the first and second pluralities of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions.

In yet another related embodiment, the backpack 100 can further include at least one outlet valve 420 440, which either can be the same as the inlet valve 420, or can be a separate outlet valve 440, which at least one outlet valve 420 440 can be connected to at least one of the first and second pluralities of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions.

In yet a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5B, the hip belt 350 can be removable.

Here has thus been described a multitude of embodiments of the backpack 100, and methods related thereto, which can be employed in numerous modes of usage.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention, which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Many such alternative configurations are readily apparent, and should be considered fully included in this specification and the claims appended hereto. Accordingly, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and thus, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A backpack, comprising: a) a container; b) a rear cushion disposed on a back side of the container, the rear cushion comprising first and second rear sheets, which are connected in a first plurality of connection portions, to form a first plurality of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions; and c) first and second shoulder straps, each connected to the container in first and second ends, each of the first and second shoulder straps comprising first and second strap sheets, which are connected in a second plurality of connection portions, to form a second plurality of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions.
 2. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the first and second plurality of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions are fluidly connected.
 3. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the first rear and first strap sheets are part of an entire first sheet and the second rear and second strap sheets are part of an entire second sheet.
 4. The backpack of claim 1, further comprising a hip belt, which is connected to a lower part of the container, the hip belt comprising at least one inflatable hip cushion comprising first and second hip sheets, which are connected in a third plurality of connection portions, to form a third plurality of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions.
 5. The backpack of claim 4, wherein the at least one inflatable hip cushion is fluidly connected to at least one of the first and second pluralities of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions.
 6. The backpack of claim 1, further comprising at least one inlet valve, which is connected to at least one of the first and second pluralities of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions.
 7. A backpack comprising: a) a container having a back side, the container comprising at least one first air cushion disposed on the back side, the at least one first air cushion comprising a first at least two material sheets connected by a first plurality of connection portions to form a first plurality of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions; b) at least one shoulder strap having a first end connecting to a top of the container and a second end connecting to a bottom of the container, the at least one shoulder strap comprising at least one second air cushion, comprising a second at least two material sheets connected by a second plurality of connection portions to form a second plurality of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions; and c) at least one inlet valve, which is fluidly connected to at least one of the first and second air cushions.
 8. The backpack of claim 7, further comprising at least one outlet valve, which is fluidly connected to at least one of the first and second air cushions.
 9. The backpack of claim 7, further comprising at least one inflating device, wherein the at least one inflating device is connected to the at least one inlet valve.
 10. The backpack of claim 7, wherein at least one air cushion on the shoulder strap is fluidly connected to at least one air cushion on the back of the container.
 11. The backpack of claim 7, wherein the first and second plurality of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions are fluidly connected.
 12. The backpack of claim 7, wherein the first rear and first strap sheets are part of an entire first sheet and the second rear and second strap sheets are part of an entire second sheet.
 13. The backpack of claim 7, further comprising a hip belt, which is connected to a lower part of the container, the hip belt comprising at least one inflatable hip cushion comprising first and second hip sheets, which are connected in a third plurality of connection portions, to form a third plurality of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions.
 14. The backpack of claim 13, wherein the at least one inflatable hip cushion is fluidly connected to at least one of the first and second pluralities of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions.
 15. A backpack, comprising: a) a container having a back portion, and at least one inflatable back cushion disposed on the back portion, at least one inflatable back cushion comprising a first at least two material sheets connected by a first plurality of connection portions to form a first plurality of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions; b) at least one shoulder strap having a first end connecting to a top of the container and a second end connecting to a bottom of the container, the at least one shoulder strap comprising at least one inflatable shoulder cushion, comprising a second at least two material sheets connected by a second plurality of connection portions to form a second plurality of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions; and c) at least one hip belt, which is connected to the container in a lower back portion of the container, the at least one hip belt comprising at least one inflatable hip cushion, comprising first and second hip sheets, which are connected in a third plurality of connection portions, to form a third plurality of fluidly connected air inflatable cushions.
 16. The backpack of claim 15, wherein the at least one inflatable hip cushion is fluidly connected to the at least one inflatable back cushion.
 17. The backpack of claim 15, wherein the at least one inflatable shoulder cushion is fluidly connected to the at least one inflatable back cushion.
 18. The backpack of claim 15, wherein the at least one inflatable hip cushion is fluidly connected to the at least one inflatable back cushion, and the at least one inflatable shoulder cushion is fluidly connected to the at least one inflatable back cushion.
 19. The backpack of claim 15, wherein the at least one inflatable shoulder cushion is fluidly connected to the at least one inflatable hip cushion.
 20. The backpack of claim 15, wherein the hip belt is removable. 